The Boomer chronicled life in Wampum in 1895

Friday

If you want a feel as to what people were thinking, doing or buying in days gone by, old newspapers area a good resource.

Newspapers chronicle the daily events in a community, and The Boomer, which covered the Wampum area, was no exception.

Charles Hall of Ellwood City enjoys history, especially that of the local area. He shared his Nov. 29, 1895, issue of The Boomer that offers an interesting look as to how residents observed the Thanksgiving holiday:

"Thanksgiving day of 1895 was an especially beautiful day in these parts as regards the weather and was celebrated in Wampum in the usual way. Many of the sporting people went to Enon to attend the shooting match, others stayed at home and got drunk. While still others remained at home and wondered why this day should be called Thanksgiving.

"In the evening a minstrel show was given in the Opera House which was attended largely by the drunken element whose actions were not of the decent sort, and thus celebrated the first of America's peculiar holidays for this season and it is a question of whether or not holidays should be of more frequent occurrence in America."

We don't know who wrote the account as reporters typically didn't get bylines in the paper then.

Another headline said, "Elections Cost Money.'' The story reported that Lawrence County paid $2,000 for the November election and that 4,000 ballots were cast with each vote costing 50 cents.

Local news tidbits were listed under the heading "Local and Personal":

*Wanted next Wednesday evening - girls to attend dancing class. Must not be over 20 or under 16 years of age and light on her feet. Address Robert Aley.

*W.J. McCullough had had the fence removed from his yard and corner. Loafers will not have to depend on the lamp post for a place to lean against.

*Col. E.H. Martin of this place is talking of organizing a dancing class at Newport. The Col. is well versed in the latest steps and will make a successful instructor."

*Philip Fisher has had a handsome iron picket fence erected in front of his lot.

*Frank Behenider, a Rochester butcher, was in our town the first of the week gathering up poultry for the Thanksgiving trade.

*Mrs. Emma Goss of Salem, Ohio, is visiting her parents Mr. And Mrs. Kay of this place.

*Miss Nannie Marshall, daughter of David Marshall of Wayne Township, is laying at the point of death.

No newspaper would be complete with advertisers and the Boomer had its share. Sprinkled among the local personal tidbits: Slippers cheap at Ketterers. Women's slippers cheap at Ketterers. Men's slippers cheap at Ketterers.

E.I. Agnew, manager or Pittsburgh Pharmacy, took out a large ad that read: "Give us a call. We are located at the south end of Beaver Street. We keep a full and complete line of drugs, patent medicines and everything usually found in a first class pharmacy."

An ad from J.C. Grandey, also situated on Beaver Street, said, "During the balance of the year I will give patrons a special reduced price on one article they buy in the grocery line. Buy your groceries from me and save money."

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